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| Tom Strobel (#36) |
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 260 lbs.
High school: Mentor (OH) Mentor
Position: Strongside defensive end
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Strobel was in high school. He had 55 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and 33 quarterback hurries
Final TTB Rating: 85
Strobel had an excellent senior season. Originally slated for the weakside end position, his added weight and the team needs now see him penciled in as a future strongside end. Strobel recently told Andrew that he's up to about 260 lbs., which is pretty solid for a true freshman. The current starting SDE is Craig Roh, and Roh was 235 lbs. coming into college.
Strobel does have an outside shot at playing time this fall, but Roh is the starter. He'll be backed up by redshirt sophomore walk-on Nathan Brink, who earned a lot of praise last year despite not doing much on the field. The coaches like to go two-deep but not much further, so if Strobel can't crack the top two and the other guys stay pretty healthy, he'll probably be able to redshirt, bulk up, and work on his technique.
Prediction: Redshirt
I'm a little surprised to see Strobel this early! He really only has one walk on who hasn't proven anything in front of him. I would think he may get a shot before Godin or Wormley, who seem a little more tweener-ish and could move inside.
ReplyDeleteHe's a strongside end that's 20 lbs. too light. If reports are accurate, he's also the lightest of the 5-tech defensive ends. Godin and Wormley are both supposedly heavier than him. They might move inside, but probably not as true freshmen if they play. They'll have to add some weight before that happens, and at 6'7", Wormley would be a very tall DT.
Delete"He really only has one walk on who hasn't proven anything in front of him."
DeleteIf all the various practice reports are true, Keith Heitzman is also in the mix at SDE. I think even Hoke mentioned him by name a couple of times.
I think Wormley has the size, but could really benefit from a redshirt more than Strobel. Wormley's desire and motor have been called into question in the past, and I would think that alone is an impediment to seeing the field early on. I haven't been impressed with Godin's film, but have heard some good things. Who knows...
DeleteI wouldn't read too much into off-season practice reports. Guys get praised as a default.
DeleteHeitzman is apparently the real deal, though. I'm not saying he's a superstar, but the coaches aren't the only ones talking about him. There's been some chatter about him being a capable backup this year, and who knows what will happen when Roh leaves...
DeleteNot that I read all the sources out there, but unless they're saying a guy is 'pushing' an incumbent starter like Roh, I don't make much of it. It's better that Heitzman is getting praise than not, of course, but I view the praise as 'necessary but not sufficient' for success. Basically, everyone either gets overrated or ignored in these things. That said, it'll be a good sign if the praise keeps coming in the fall and Heitzman and Brink can keep the freshman's shirts red. Though I still think Brink may sneak inside at some point, like Heininger and Black.
Delete@ Thunder 10:16
DeleteWormley told me in his interview that he's 6'5'' so height may not be a prohibiting factor for him moving inside down the road. But yeah, he did say that he'll be starting off at the 5-tech, and at 270 pounds, he seems to be a bit more ready physically than Strobel.
The recruiting sites lied to me! How dare they!
DeleteI think Strobel sees the field this year, kind of like Frank Clark and Beyer did last year, spot duty mostly. Was very impressed by his game film and his interviews. Strobel is more talented than anybody in front of him other than Roh, so I think the coaches give him a shot, as they have demonstrated they are not afraid to play some talented true freshmen.
ReplyDeleteI hope not. Beyer seems like a wasted red-shirt. Everyone thinks he'll be a very good player long-term, but he didn't do that much last year and is changing positions. Would have been nice to have him for 4 more years instead of 3. Of course, he might be a starter this year and you can argue he'd be less prepared for 2012 duty if he hadn't done what he did in 2011.
DeleteClark was obviously effective, but in part because the there was no depth at WDE and Roh wasn't very athletic for the position. Clark brought something different to the table. I love that we added Strobel to the program, but I hope SDE is handled by the returning players. If not, that says bad things about Heitzman, Brink, and others along the DL.
I do think it's more likely Strobel is used than, say, Ojemudia or Jenkins-Stone, who are behind two guys who have already played a decent amount while Godin/Wormley/Strobel have a more clear path to playing time. But that's not accounting for special teams duty.
True, but you're talking about one of the top high school players in Ohio with an OSU offer getting minutes to spell Roh against a walk-on (albeit a very good one) and Keith Heitzman who is, like, come on now (not to mention Heitzman has as much game experience as Strobel: zero)... I don't think it necessarily says "bad things" about the depth in front of Strobel; but let's just say it won't be a major disappointment (or surprise for that matter) if Strobel plays over these two guys. I say no redshirt (and I don't mean special teams), size be damned.
DeleteIn case it wasn't already clear, I'm crazy about Strobel.
I'm with you GGB, he's one of my favorite recruits in this class. I'm just one of those people who generally prefers to red-shirt people, especially when they have a high upside. So glad that people like Toussaint, Ryan, Gordon, Kovacs, etc have an 'extra' year.
DeleteBut you never know, the DL is very unsettled and Strobel has a ton of talent/potential.
I probably sound like a broken record, but I think the OL and DL situation is going to necessitate freshman playing and we don't have any real idea of who that will. [Alhough Kalis and Pipkins sound physically ready and capable.] Given that uncertainty, Strobel has a chance to play. But I agree with Thunder that Strobel faces an uphill battle. Both Wormley and Godin are rather tall to be interior players and therefore may be SDE early in their careers, if not long-term. [That's why I want DT recruits in the '13 class so bad.] And they're both bigger than Strobel right now, so they're less likely to need a red-shirt year.
ReplyDeleteStrobel is a prospect I love, but he's a DT/SDE type who is too light to play there right now. We don't need more WDE right now. Bulk up, wait a year, and he could be a prime candidate to replace Roh next year. Love his long-term potential, so I hope he can red-shirt.
Nashville John here. Terrific posts are abundant at this site. Lankownia you are great! Suppose that means that I agree almost always with ya. Thunder, luvya even when you rain on my parade, recruit favs, etc. You make this my favorite site...thank you.
ReplyDelete